The latest Radley Then & Now Archives event brought together ORs and staff to explore the history of philanthropy, partnerships, and service at Radley, tracing a thread of responsibility and generosity that stretches back to the College’s earliest days.
Led by College Archivist Clare Sargent, the discussion ranged from the founding vision of the College, including the principle that one in ten boys should receive a free education, through the work of the Radley Mission in Wapping from the 1880s to the 1940s, and then through Social Services, Community Action Plan, and overseas projects in India, Tanzania, and Romania, to today’s thriving Partnerships Programme.
Contributions from John Sparks, Director of Partnerships, Elisabeth Anderson, Development Director, Charlie Herbert, Director of the Countryside Centre, Pete Bennett, Head of Sports Partnerships, and Chris Mason, Master i/c Charities, were enriched by reflections from ORs whose own experiences of volunteering at Radley have shaped later careers and interests in medicine and social change.
“I’ve no doubt that Radley was formative for me in carving out a career in healthcare and now charity work.” – Richard Claxton (1984, C)
One point we talked about was the importance of introducing voluntary work early in life. We reflected on how meaningful contact with people from different backgrounds helps to break down barriers of “otherness”, encouraging empathy and maturity. Several people noted that these experiences are never one-sided – partnerships in the truest sense are where those volunteering gain as much as they give.
The conversation also touched on the formative sense of responsibility boys experience through regular commitment and reliability. Whether through sports leadership, visiting the elderly, or working with younger children, many mentioned the significance of being “expected” each week, and the impact of becoming trusted and dependable role models. Partnerships work was described as an inherently “adult” activity, requiring sensitivity and maturity.
“Partnerships at Radley undoubtedly played a huge role in shaping the projects that I have been involved in since I left school. Looking back, I was lucky to receive so much exposure to how charities operate while I was still a sixth form student.” – Will Mordaunt (2017)
The evening concluded with reflections on the Radley Foundation’s role in sustaining this work today. The Partnerships Programme is funded entirely through philanthropy, and there is a lovely continuity between modern giving and the College’s earliest ideals of widening opportunity and serving the wider community. As the College marks the 25th anniversary of the Radley Foundation, this felt like a fitting reminder that philanthropy and partnership have never been separate strands of Radley life, but part of the same tradition.
As ever, the event added wonderful depth and perspective to the College’s growing oral history, and we are hugely grateful to all those who contributed their memories and reflections.
Photos, audio recordings and personal stories can be viewed on this online presentation. We will continue to add to it, and we encourage those with memories of partnerships at the College to send them to us: radsoc@radley.org.uk.
Our next Radley Then & Now event will take place in October 2026, and will focus on Radley’s Women. If you have memories that you would like to share on this topic, we would love to hear from you.
If you would like to share your memories or have suggestions for future events, please email us: radsoc@radley.org.uk.
